Pain and trauma are the new ‘normal’ where we usually live and serve. People are under constant bombardment, their neighbouring land out to wound them, kill them and destroy their hope. The conflict drags on.
Children are put to bed on the floor in corridors, elderly people run for underground bunkers in the middle of the night, no-one sleeps from the constant air raids. Everyone knows someone in danger defending the country, bereaved, or constantly checking if their loved ones are alive.
We have found ourselves with a new kind of ministry in this conflict – not one we planned or wanted, but one which the Lord has shown us is vital for those we love.
it is a ministry of supporting, strengthening, coming alongside the broken, giving hope to the desperate and hurting
Many servant-hearted believers continue to labour long hours every day in this conflict, reaching out to those cut off or wounded or now homeless. They have served above and beyond and are now exhausted, feeling weak and inadequate, crying out to God for help to face another day, another winter.
Add to that the grief and trauma of being separated from loved ones, as mainly men and the elderly remain, their families having left as refugees.
Photos – top of page: children in the war zone. Above: an outreach and a frontline evangelistic team serving people in the war zone.
How can we encourage them to keep enduring in such a struggle? With these three things that profoundly encourage us:
1. Despite the conflict, the Lord is doing amazing things.
Acts 14:22 tells us that, “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God!” (ESV) Away from the media’s coverage, there are many people pressing into the Kingdom in these days of war.
This is encouraging. Spiritual conflict is even more real than the physical one around us, and the death and resurrection of Jesus is powerful enough to set people free – to liberate slaves and captives, to make them forgiven and free, even as their lives are in danger every day. Grace is more powerful than sin; this encourages us and keeps us going.
2. God gives strength to those who call upon him.
Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that, “they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” The people of Eastern Europe are not super strong or super brave; they are weak and exhausted. But they have learned to trust and rely on their God who strengthens them every single day. Prayer is not something they have to remember to do, or schedule in – they are crying out to God like they breathe oxygen. And God is sustaining them miraculously.
prayer is not something to remember to do or to schedule in … crying out to God is the oxygen that the people breathe
3. The end is already decided.
Isaiah 46:9-10 tells us: “I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning … saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” It is very hard living and serving under daily enemy fire. Fear for our lives is very draining and saps all hope. Yet to know that the purpose of God is greater than man’s purpose, and more certain, uplifts the soul. We can endure in this race not because of the strength or wisdom or faithfulness of men, but because God is faithful and he will glorify his name and uplift his Son. May all who try to raise their empires arrogantly against him be defeated and come to nothing.
A and T are serving in Eastern Europe in discipleship and humanitarian relief ministries